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First victim of fire named
The first victim of a fire that tore through a crowded bar in Switzerland has been named as a talented young Italian golfer, Emanuele Galeppini.
In a post on its website, the Italian Golf Federation paid tribute to a “young athlete who embodied passion and authentic values”. While numerous news outlets have shared this news, officials are yet to confirm the names of any victims.
Investigators were on Friday beginning the process to identify victims of the fire that ripped through a bar in the Swiss Alps town of Crans-Montana, turning a New Year’s celebration into one of the country’s worst tragedies.
It is not yet clear what set off the blaze at Le Constellation, killing about 40 people and injuring about 115 others, many seriously – but bystanders described scenes of panic and chaos as people tried to break the windows to escape and others, covered in burns, poured into the street.
Swiss police have warned it could take days or even weeks to identify everyone who died, leaving an agonising wait for family and friends.
Authorities have declined to speculate on what caused the tragedy, saying only that it was not an attack.
Key events
Hundreds of mourners gathered in silence in the freezing night in Crans-Montana on Thursday evening, laying flowers and lighting candles to remember those killed in a blaze as they celebrated the new year.
Our picture desk has created this gallery with some of the photographs of those paying tribute:
First victim of fire named
The first victim of a fire that tore through a crowded bar in Switzerland has been named as a talented young Italian golfer, Emanuele Galeppini.
In a post on its website, the Italian Golf Federation paid tribute to a “young athlete who embodied passion and authentic values”. While numerous news outlets have shared this news, officials are yet to confirm the names of any victims.
Investigators were on Friday beginning the process to identify victims of the fire that ripped through a bar in the Swiss Alps town of Crans-Montana, turning a New Year’s celebration into one of the country’s worst tragedies.
It is not yet clear what set off the blaze at Le Constellation, killing about 40 people and injuring about 115 others, many seriously – but bystanders described scenes of panic and chaos as people tried to break the windows to escape and others, covered in burns, poured into the street.
Swiss police have warned it could take days or even weeks to identify everyone who died, leaving an agonising wait for family and friends.
Authorities have declined to speculate on what caused the tragedy, saying only that it was not an attack.
